Yahoo Autos Here's What Alfa Romeo Has Planned for the Next Four Years
Fiat Chrysler (FCA) wants Alfa Romeo to be a legitimate BMW- and Mercedes-competitor, but it needs an all new lineup to do so. The Giulia sedan kicks off Alfa's 21st renaissance, hitting dealers in the next few months, and the compact Stelvio SUV will make its debut in November. Alfa needs more than two mainstream models, though, and while we have a good idea of what it's got planned, FCA just spelled it out clearly.
A September investor presentation on FCA's site outlines Alfa's model plans through mid-2020. There's nothing earth-shattering here, nor have things changed much since a January investor presentation, but it gives us a clearer picture of how Alfa intends to save itself.
"Mid-size UV" refers to the soon-to-debut Stelvio, but after that, we'll see a larger sedan based on the Giulia's platform. We don't know what it'll be called, but Alfa will certainly position it as a rival to the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, and the like.
Next up is another crossover, which will likely be larger than the upcoming Stelvio. If the Stelvio is set to rival the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, Alfa's follow-up crossover will go head-to-head with the X5 and GLE, respectively.
Interestingly, Alfa says it has a "speciality" model planned after that, which is arguably the most intriguing thing on the list. We've reported that Alfa Romeo has abandoned its plans to build a front-engine, rear-drive roadster, so specialty is anyone's guess. Perhaps, a hotter Quadrifoglio version of the 4C is on the table, but a front-drive coupe is also rumored.
Finally, Alfa plans to release a new hatchback by 2020. A recent Automotive News report says the company hasn't decided whether the current Giulietta's replacement will be front- or rear-wheel-drive. While Alfa is staking much of it's comeback on U.S. sales, a small hatchback seems like a more distant possibility for this market.
Of course, all of these future cars hinge on the success of the Giulia and Stelvio, which are up against a lot. Early reviews are the Giulia are positive, but it'll be hard to convince Americans to buy it instead of a BMW or Mercedes. As enthusiasts, we want Alfa to succeed, but it's odds, frankly, aren't great.
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